Grade 1 Pacific Classic

Grade 1 Pacific Classic 8/24/08

#1 Awesome Gem- Second in this race last year, this deep closer hasn’t had much luck in 2008. This race catapulted him to a third place finish in the Breeders Cup Classic last year. The pace is there if he can run, but I think this gelding has seen better days. I don’t encourage using him on top in your exotics, but perhaps rounding out a trifecta or superfecta ticket with this old warrior.

#2 Mostacolli Mort- Finished a hard charging third behind Well Armed and Surf Cat last out in the San Diego Handicap. This gelding ran a great race last out, but I need to see another one like that to believe he is for real. I can’t use him here.

#3 Zappa- Won by seven lengths last out in the Cougar II Handicap after toying with a field that included Big Booster. Alan Garcia will be piloting this one for the first time for trainer John Sadler. I wouldn’t use Zappa if he hadn’t ran such a huge race last out, but I have to throw him in on trifecta and superfecta tickets.

#4 Surf Cat- What an amazing horse this is, having only been off the board twice in twenty starts. Surf Cat fired a bullet five furlong work in :57 3/5 on August 19. While he won’t be my top pick, this son of Sir Cat looks primed for a huge run. Handicappers love this type of horse.

#5 Barcola- This horse will probably lead to the stretch and spit the bit. He doesn’t have the class to run with these. Don’t include Barcola on any of your tickets.

#6 Go Between- Couldn’t catch Mast Track last out in the Hollywood Gold Cup. Go Between is a son of Point Given. He hasn’t won since the SunShine Millions Classic and he looks due for a big run. The pace will be there for this closer, but he is going to have to do the rest of the work. While he isn’t my top selection, you must take Go Between seriously. Include him on all quinella, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta tickets.

#7 Well Armed- Eoin Harty and Aaron Gryder have had a ton of success with this speedball. Third two back in the Dubai World Cup, he returned to wire the field in the San Diego Handicap. Distance is no question because of his performance in the Dubai World Cup. You have to love this son of Tiznow, especially at the great price of 10-1. He will be my top selection.

#8 Mast Track- The winner of the Hollywood Gold Cup will have Bejarano in the irons. He was lone speed in that race and that was the driving factor behind his win. While he is certainly talented and capable, he will need to resort to a stalking style here. I don’t like him to pull off two wins in a row but I would use him on my trifecta, and superfecta tickets when I am betting horses for this race.

#9 Delosvientos- Let me begin by saying that no horse who has won three races in a row the way this one has should be 30-1. He earned a monstrous ESF of 114 last out while winning Grade 2 Brooklyn Handicap. Delosvientos will have the services of chilly Joel Rosario. I’m not wild about this ones chances but I will use him simply because of his price.

#10 Student Council- My grandpa loves to bet horses who won the same race the previous year. “How quickly they forget” he would tell me. If you subscribe to that statement, then Student Council is the horse for you. He is now under control of the lethal combination of Steve Asmussen and Shaun Bridgmahon. This horse can certainly get it done at 7/2. He is a must use on all quinella, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta tickets.

#11 McCann’s Mojave- An old warrior, this horse was fourth last out in the Hollywood Gold Cup. Prior to that he won a Grade 3. I believe this field is too tough for him. Don’t include him on any tickets.

1st- Well Armed (10-1)
2nd- Student Council (7/2)
3rd- Surf Cat (6-1)

Plays:

$2 Exacta (4,6,7,10 BOX)
$2 Trifecta (6,7,10/4,6,7,10/4,6,7,8,9,10)
$2 Superfecta (7,10/4,6,7,10/4,6,7,10/1,3,4,6,7,8,9,10)